The Outdoors in Rowlett, Texas
Rowlett sits on a peninsula between two big reservoirs — Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Lavon — so water is never far in any direction. Add a strong parks system with a waterpark and a dedicated paddling trail, and it's one of the more water-focused suburbs in the Metroplex.
Here's where to get outside in and around Rowlett.
Two Lakes
Rowlett is bracketed by water. Lake Ray Hubbard, 22,000 acres with more than 30 miles of shoreline, is the bigger draw — great for fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and water-skiing. To the north, Lake Lavon adds another excellent fishing lake with parks, campgrounds, and boat launches around its shores.
Few suburbs sit between two reservoirs like this, and it gives Rowlett an unusual amount of open water within minutes of home.
Parks and the Waterpark
Rowlett Community Park has fishing piers, shaded playgrounds, ballfields, hiking trails, and picnic areas. Pecan Grove Park, 27 acres, holds the Rowlett Community Centre — a recreation center with fitness equipment and gyms — plus the community-built Kids Kingdom Playground and the Wet Zone Family Waterpark for summer.
Between the two, Rowlett covers everyday recreation from a lakeside walk to a splash-pad afternoon, with a full rec center in the mix.
Paddle Point Paddling Trail
For paddlers, Paddle Point Park and the Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail are a genuine highlight — a 1.4-acre launch area feeding a 6.4-mile paddling trail with scenery and wildlife along the way. It's a purpose-built route for kayakers and canoeists.
Having a dedicated paddling trail on top of two lakes makes Rowlett a real destination for anyone who paddles, and it rounds out one of the more complete outdoor setups in the eastern suburbs.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Rowlett.
- Pecan Grove Park
- Twin Star Park
- Herfurth Park
- Waterview Park
- Lakes of Springfield Park
- Shorewood Park
- Katy Railroad Park
- Lakeside Park South
- Isaac Scruggs Park
- Homestead Pavillion Park
- Long Green Leisure Area
- Scenic Point Park
- Paddle Point Park
- Schrade Bluebonnet Park
- Heritage Park
- Rowlett Community Park
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Rowlett
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of Rowlett, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- Lake Ray Hubbard · ~1 mi
- White Rock Lake · ~12 mi
- Lavon Lake · ~14 mi
- Mountain Creek Lake · ~28 mi
- Lewisville Lake · ~30 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Rowlett
Public lands within reach of Rowlett — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Cedar Hill State Park · Dallas County ~32 mi
- Lake Tawakoni State Park · Hunt County ~33 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~39 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~41 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~41 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~42 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Buck Creek Unit State Park · Grayson County ~43 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~43 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Sanger Unit State Park · Denton County ~45 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Johnson Branch Unit State Park · Denton County ~46 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Rowlett. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Rowlett
Rowlett sits on a peninsula between Lake Ray Hubbard — 22,000 acres with over 30 miles of shoreline for fishing, boating, and paddleboarding — and Lake Lavon to the north, an excellent fishing lake with parks and boat launches.
Yes. The Wet Zone Family Waterpark is part of Pecan Grove Park in Rowlett, alongside the Rowlett Community Centre and the community-built Kids Kingdom Playground.
Yes. Paddle Point Park has a 1.4-acre launch area and the 6.4-mile Paddle Point Creek Paddling Trail, a dedicated route for kayakers and canoeists, on top of paddling access to Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Lavon.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Rowlett
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Best Hiking Trails in East Texas
East Texas hiking trails checked against park and Forest Service sources: Tyler, Daingerfield, Mission Tejas and Martin Creek Lake state parks, the Four C Trail and the Sawmill Trail.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Fishing in East Texas: Complete Guide
A sourced guide to fishing Lake Fork, Lake Palestine, Cedar Creek and Lake Athens: bass slot limits, where TPWD says the fish are, and Texas license rules.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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